Manitoba's Top Employers

11 PERHAPS THE MOST TELLING INDICATOR OF WHY MANITOBA AGRICULTURAL SERVICES CORPORATION �MASC� IS RANKED AMONG MANITOBA'S TOP EMPLOYERS FOR THE SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR IS HOW THE IDEA TO ENTER THE ANNUAL COMPETITION AROSE IN THE FIRST PLACE. It wasn't President and CEO Neil Hamilton, although he acknowledges it's a source of tremendous pride for both himself and everyone else involved with MASC. And it wasn't the corporation's senior management team who spearheaded things either. No, the groundswell of support for the idea actually came from the organization's 145 full-time staff and 195 casual employees who felt MASC should do something to toot its own horn. "It really started with our employees. Our staff said for a number of years they wanted to do this," Hamilton said. "I think a big part of it is we have a lot of staff retention. When people come to work for us you don't see a lot of them leave. I think our products are something they believe in and are proud of. They feel very positive that we are doing good work." MASC was formed in 2005 when the Manitoba Agricultural Credit Corporation and the Manitoba Crop Insurance Corporation were merged to create greater efficiencies within the two services. The organization's insurance wing provides crop and livestock insurance to Manitoba's producers as effective risk management tools. On the lending side, it provides loans and loan guarantees to farmers and rural entrepreneurs, noting that 75 per cent of direct loans are made to young farmers, 40 years or younger. It also administers the provincial farmland school tax rebate and the federal/provincial wildlife damage compensation program, as well as emergency assistance programs when requir ed. Considering it has offices in 25 communities across the province, you might think staying connected with its staff would be problematic for MASC's management team. That isn't the case, according to Human Resources Manager Heather Shwetz. Shwetz said the corporation makes every effort to foster strong, two-way communication with staff, whether it's electronically, at regular staff meetings and orientation sessions for newcomers, or by managers visiting staff in the field. That includes Hamilton, who personally visits each MASC location at least once a year. "When I go out, we talk about business but I also ask about the individual and their family. I try to get to know them as people so they don't view me as some distant, unknown entity," he said. Another priority for the corporation is providing opportunities for professional development. It offers a number of in-house training sessions, both in the classroom and in the field, on everything from crop adjustment to leadership. Shwetz said the benefit to providing this kind of training is that the organization can often draw from within its own ranks when it comes to filling senior positions. In fact, nearly 45 per cent of all openings at MASC over the past five years were filled from within. That focus on promoting from within includes the executive management team with five of its six current members having worked their way up the ranks. "I think it speaks to the quality of the people we bring in and that there is an opportunity for them to advance here," Shwetz said. In addition to a defined-benefits pension plan that the corporation contributes to, staff receive three weeks of paid vacation to start and can also apply for an unpaid leave of absence for up to one year. New moms are eligible to receive maternity top-up payments of up to 93 per cent for 17 weeks and can opt to extend their maternity leave to a total of 54 weeks. Brandon-based employees also have the convenience of a daycare facility being located in their building. Another benefit available to all MASC employees is a health spending account. Employees are able to draw on this account to enhance existing benefits and help pay for expensive items such as braces, for which they might otherwise have to pay a portion of out of their own pocket. "It's a nice, flexible benefit that people can use," Shwetz said. MASC staff also enjoy the option of a flexible work week and can schedule start and finish times that are best suited to their personal and professional commitments. In addition, the corporation accommodates preferred work location where feasible. "Not being in a major urban market, you have to be flexible," Hamilton said. "We realize to have good staff we have to make these kinds of accommodations." While serving the needs of farmers is the top priority for MASC staff, that doesn't mean there isn't time to have some fun along the way. Social committees in Brandon and Portage organize regular events for staff such as barbecues, golf tournaments and Christmas parties. Some staff also participate in a weekly volleyball league and a 15-member MASC team participated in the Canada Day Dragon Boat Festival in Portage la Prairie this summer in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. Although they didn't win the race, they did raise the most funds for an individual team. JOIN US IN BUILDING A STRONG RURAL MANITOBA For more information about rewarding career opportunities with MASC, visit www.masc.mb.ca LENDING AND INSURANCE A team of MASC employees participated in the Canada Day Dragon Boat Festival in Portage la Prairie last summer in support of the Canadian Cancer Society. Submitted photo. MANITOBA AGRICULTURAL SERVICES CORPORATION �MASC� MASC: A real presence in rural Manitoba By Jim Timlick MANITOBA'S TOP EMPLOYERS

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